So many wonderful things were said about our newest Shooting Star, Marissa Damone, but what stood out the most for us here at The Equine Herald was her sportsmanship. Marissa once entered a class for which she was a bit advanced in order to help someone sell their pony. Having easily won the class, she was concerned about the other riders feeling cheated or robbed of a ribbon. So she waited at the in gate once she came out of the ring to give all the other kids on their ponies a high five and tell them congratulations. “Marissa is a superb sportsman,” says her trainer, Sean Jones. “She is always gracious and encouraging with kind words to say to those she is in competition with.”

Marissa’s love of horses began in kindergarten, when both her teacher and best friend had horses. Her parents developed a unique method of feeling out Marissa’s commitment. Her mother, Michelle Damone, found a woman who was willing to spend an hour and a half every week teaching Marissa all aspects of horsemanship, not just riding. The deal they made with Marissa was that if she dedicated herself to caring for other people’s horses for one full year, they would get her a pony. And that is how Cheyenne, Marissa’s first pony, entered her life.

Marissa’s current pony is Pinehurts’s Quench Your Thyrst, affectionately known as Spryte. Marissa and Spryte have amassed quite a record. Her most memorable experience with Spryte surprisingly involves a broken arm! A big fall from a miscalculation over a jump at a local show landed Marissa in the hospital the day she was to attend an awards banquet. In true Marissa fashion, she attended the banquet in both good spirits and a sling to receive a division championship and High Point Pony Hunter award for the circuit

It’s not surprising with Marissa’s dedication that she is extremely focused and goal oriented. "Marissa is a pleasure to instruct, as she has a true love of the sport, keen interest in progressing and is willing to push herself by putting forth her best effort in every ride,” says Sean. Her most recent goal that she achieved was teaching Spryte lead changes. “It took longer than I thought,” recounts Marissa, “but he’s a smart pony and we just achieved that goal this year.” Next on Marissa’s list of goals is to compete in as many medal classes in 2008 as she can. “I find medal classes very competitive for both me and my pony Spryte,” says Marissa, “I enjoy the challenge very much.”

If you follow the jumper ring, it is highly unlikely you have missed hearing about our newest Shooting Star, Michael Hughes.  At an unbelievable 12 years of age, Michael has amassed a competition record of which most of us can only dare to dream.  Michael’s parents, Eamonn & Cathy Hughes, have created a winning strategy for developing Michael’s talents utilizing the sale horses that reside in their gorgeous 48 stall facility, Drumnacross Farm, in Goshen, NY.  Michael shows his equitation horse, Showtime, and his three junior jumpers, Tinka’s Girl, Indio, and Labelle.  In addition to his regular mounts, Michael will show other horses that challenge him in ways his regular mounts do not, thereby honing his skills and furthering his education at every show.  Michael’s favorite aspect of his family’s farm is riding the sale horses.  While he is saddened when any of them are sold, he prefers to focus on appreciating that each horse has taken him to a higher level through their work together.



In addition to training with his father in the jumpers, Michael has also added the equitation ring to his reportoire, training with Missy Clark.  Missy was awestruck at Michael’s talent the first time she watched him ride at the ripe old age of 7.  He has experienced outstanding success in the equitation ring, at an age where most juniors are several years away from even considering competing in the USEF.  Not only did he qualify for all the big equitation finals in 2007, he was 10th in the Zone 1 Maclay Regionals, and was called back in the top 30 of the Maclay Finals.

A refreshing aspect to Michael Hughes is his absolute appreciation for all of his mounts.  He has a knowledge far behind his years, recognizing that he must develop trust with his horses.  He understands that you must first build your horse’s confidence in your riding, and that they will respond by doing anything for you.  While Michael had great success in the equitation ring in 2007, his efforts in the jumper ring have hardly gone unnoticed.  Advancing quickly from the low juniors to the high junior jumpers, Michael capped off the end of the summer with a second place finish in a HITS $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classic.  If history has taught us anything, it’s to watch out for Michael as he embarks on his goal for 2008 – to ride in his first Grand Prix.

With a grace and poise reminiscent of the most classical equitation champions of years past, Hannah Isop has been a fierce competitor in the jumper ring since she was 9 years old. The adoration of horses is in Hannah’s blood, being the fourth generation of horse lovers, dating back to her great grandmother, Dorothy Schaal. Hannah’s grandparents, Bob and Jeri Freels, ran a successful show barn that specialized in juniors and amateurs that competed in both the hunters and jumpers. Bob Freels was the USET stable manager in the 1950’s, gaining invaluable knowledge from the USET coach at the time, the legendary Bert deNemethy . Growing up with this solid foundation in her environment, and having always been provided with a pony on which to perfect her basic horsemanship, Hannah has a true gift with her horses that far belies her age of only eighteen years. She learned that whether breaking a two year old or showing her beloved Husker Du, her greatest goal is to give each horse her very best. “My granddad, Bob Freels, really taught me that each horse is an individual, and they all require a different approach and understanding,” says Hannah. “At the end of the day, knowing I have achieved this goal is what riding is all about.”

Hannah’s first away show was in Vermont when she was nine years old. She showed her pony, I’m Dancin’ – affectionately known as Pinky, in her first jumper class. Pinky was a Christmas present from proud grandmother, Jeri. “I remember coming out of the ring and thinking this was the coolest thing I had ever done, and that I wanted to do it again and again,” said Hannah. She keeps a photo of herself and Pinky on her bedroom wall as inspiration. Tracy Freels, of Harkaway Farm in Bedford, NY, took Hannah to Vermont and has been her trainer ever since. Tracy has provided Hannah with many mounts over the years, including Keep It Simple, and has made it possible for Hannah to get her mileage in the show ring to showcase her talent.

Hannah’s current focus is on her horses, Husker Du and Keep It Simple. Keep It Simple, the grey horse pictured above, is a project horse that Hannah has successfully advanced from the low schooling jumpers to the low juniors in only one year. Husker Du was a generous gift from talented Grand Prix rider, Georgina Bloomberg. Hannah would like to thank Georgina, Tracy Brindle and Gotham Farm for giving her such an incredible opportunity with Husker.

Hannah and Husker have already proven to be a formidable duo in the junior ring. This year at HITS Saugerties, they achieved several top placings in the low juniors, including two wins and two reserve championships. Hannah’s best advice for any rider? “Just be open and hear what they have to say when you ride.”